The Japanese government aims to triple sales of domestically made microchips by 2030, as part of its efforts to reduce reliance on foreign technology. The goal is to achieve greater self-sufficiency in technology, particularly in light of supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and China's growing economic power.
According to data from SEMI, a global association of chipmaking equipment producers, to achieve this goal, Japan is anticipated to invest US$7 billion in fabrication equipment next year, representing an 82% increase from the current year, and making it the world's largest increase in this category.
The initiative is part of a larger effort by Japan to strengthen its technology sector and compete with other major players in the industry, including the USA, Taiwan and China. Japan's semiconductor industry has faced challenges in recent years due to the rise of competitors in Asia and the global shortage of chips.
At the end of March 2023, Japan and the Netherlands imposed restrictions on chipmaking equipment exports, following US limitations to China.